Welcome back friends, lots of great things to dive into today. So off we go….

First, thank you so much for being a reader!

I’m grateful and it’s a joy creating community with you. The Loop community will very soon cross over 10,000 and I appreciate that so many of you have spread the word! As the community grows, I’m able to put even more resources into creating opportunities to connect with neighbors.

Please consider forwarding this email to a friend. If you’ve received this from a friend, subscribe for free.

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I’m excited to showcase artists with the cover art spot up above. Know an artist that’d love to be featured? Forward this email to them to be a featured cover artist.

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Have a Lancaster local business and want to partner with the Loop to be seen by over 12,000+ Loopers between the newsletter & the socials?

“I’m going to give you the location, but do yourself the favor and don’t look it up online. Just go and experience the site first hand.”

A few weeks ago reader, Christina E., a lifelong local emailed me this message 👆👆.

I was happy to receive a challenge that didn't involve a screen or a phone, inviting me instead to take an adventure in the real world.

I’m a believer that with a few less “1s and 0s”, maybe we’d feel calmer and move at a bit of a more relaxed pace.

Inspired by Christina’s invite, here’s a fun new Lancaster Loop feature:

I’ll provide directions and the latitude & longitude coordinates and invite you to go have a real life adventure!

BUT, don’t look it up. Don’t search around on Google Maps. Don’t street view it. Just allow a bit of wonder and mystic to creep back in your day and set off blindly or take a friend for a new adventure.

That’s exactly what I did with my daughter and it’s an adventure we’ll both remember for a long time.

Details: Use this GPS map site to enter in the coordinates

(don’t use Google Maps or else the surprise at the end may be ruined)

40°02'59.9"N 76°23'24.9"W

Or here’s how my buddy Roger does it…the old MapQuest way.

Want to possibly be featured as next week’s newsletter cover art?

Snap a photo of what you find when you get there or a selfie and I’ll pick one next week to include as the newsletter cover image.

submit your photo here

April is for spring tree buds and blocks.

There’s something cool brewing at the Rodney Park Community Center, and if you’ve got a kid who lives for blocks, Lancaster Rec Esports is throwing a Minecraft World-Building Contest.

To make sure every young architect can get in on the action, they are completely waiving all registration and weekly program fees for the full four weeks of the competition.

Pretty rad. It’s totally free to build, create, and compete. To kick things off there’s a Launch Party on April 3rd @ 430p for registered players and their families. Come out, grab some free food and refreshments, and find community built around Minecraft blocks.

The stakes are high, the winning builder walks away with a FREE Esports Center rental for their own private party! Throughout April, players will hone their skills during the scheduled sessions. Spots are strictly limited and you’ve got to register in advance for the whole event to attend the kick-off and compete. digital blocks for free

who / what / where / when / why

Emily Gisselle Gonzalez is looking for a few good folks. GEMs Bodega & Cafe is looking for motivated & reliable team members to join their crew. Duties include customer service, restocking, cashiering, warming food, making simple coffee orders, and opening/closing checklists. She’s also looking for a prep people for Inna’s Pierogi Shop.

Both are great openings for energetic, punctual people who love Lancaster!

There’s a double win to these positions. You also get to be around a dynamic entrepreneur who’s pouring into where she lives and making our community better for it!

Interested?…email Emily your resume

All your support goes directly towards keeping the Lancaster Loop alive and building a stronger community. The Loop will always be 100% free to read while being independently and locally written, heck it’s just me! Many thanks to you all -Ed

When I meet folks around the county, I share how my hope is to continue seeing the Loop be a conduit to community, with a 2-step cadence.

The first step is the “URL” lancloop.com.

A weekly curated email.

And step #2 is the “IRL” (in real life).

Great local in-person events to meet some new neighbors & friends.

The intent of this newsletter is helping neighbors meet neighbors.

So with that in mind, here are a few upcoming IRLs on tap for April:

DINNER CLUB LITITZ: Take the quiz, get paired with 5 readers, receive your restaurant invite the morning of the 9th, pay your way and enjoy your meal with new friends.

Dinner: 630-8p After Party: 8-930p

At 730p, you’ll receive a text revealing the after party location where you’ll have a VIP tour in Lititz.

Hint: Strong rockstar vibes 🤘-🎹-🎸!!!

LOOPERS LEARN MAHJONG: Two world-class Mahjong teachers instruct you how to play one of the hottest games going @ West Art 6-8p. Tables of 4 learning and playing. Leave equipped for future open play at West Art.

Come to one or both event, the format is the same for each; beginner learn & play.